The Formula One paddock is already discussing the possibility of Nico Rosberg winning the 2016 world championship.
Despite team mate Lewis Hamilton winning the last two championships, Rosberg has been in the form of his life, winning three races in a row after the summer break, adding to his five wins from earlier in the year.
"Quiet, balanced and optimistic," were the words La Gazzetta dello Sport used to describe Rosberg after Singapore.
"Rosberg's exceptional character is perfect for the duel against Hamilton."
France's L'Equipe agreed, saying that that Hamilton has been "a shadow of himself" at recent races.
"Rosberg is at his best," added Italy's Corriere della Sera, "while Hamilton is sinking in crisis."
Many other paddock figures are noting that Rosberg now looks to be in the best position to capture the title.
"Since Spa, Rosberg looks fresher and more stable than Hamilton," F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart told the Swiss newspaper Blick.
"I can see him (Rosberg) being the new world champion," he added.
The German newspaper Bild agreed: "Since four weeks of partying in the summer break, Hamilton has won no more races."
On Italian radio Rai, Flavio Briatore said: "Rosberg seems to have put his head in the right place.
"Hamilton has great talent, but he is a bit 'rapper' too and if you want to win you have to concentrate on that.
"If I were him, I would look a little less at music and a little more at F1," the former Renault chief added.
Ex-F1 driver Robert Doornbos told Ziggo Sport Totaal: "I don't know what Rosberg did in the summer, but he must have found something in himself.
"He may have slightly less raw talent than Hamilton, but he fills that gap with hard work."
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, however, offered words of caution, and refused to rule out Hamilton.
"We tend to talk one up and the other one down," he insisted. "I remember talking about Lewis' momentum a few weeks ago and suddenly we have this mega Nico weekend.
"We will see if it stays the same in Malaysia."
Paddock figures label Nico Rosberg as title favourite
- Published on 20 Sep 2016 10:33
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- By: Dominik Wilde
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